The updated Ford Ranger line-up has been launched in South Africa, with the locally assembled bakkie range comprising 33 derivatives at launch (two fewer than the outgoing line-up, with the flagship Ranger Raptor still to come).

Pricing starts at R287 100 for the base, rear-wheel-drive, single-cab model. As before, the single-cab and super-cab ranges will use the Blue Oval brand’s 2,2-litre four-cylinder engine, with the option of the 3,2-litre five-cylinder TDCi unit as well.

Where things get really interesting, however, is in the overhauled double-cab line-up, where Ford has introduced its new 2,0-litre turbodiesel and bi-turbo 2,0-litre diesel units (built at Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth).

The new single-turbo 2,0-litre oil-burner churns out 132 kW and 420 N.m, and is offered in XLT specification with the choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The former is priced at R514 300, while upgrading to the 4x4 model will cost you R570 200. Both versions employ the automaker's new ten-speed automatic transmission.

The bi-turbo engine, meanwhile, will be offered in Wildtrak form, again in 4x2 and 4x4 guise. Here, the four-cylinder unit develops the same 157 kW and 500 N.m as it does in the upcoming Ranger Raptor, with a ten-speed automatic also standard. The rear-wheel-drive version will set you back R632 300, while the 4x4 derivative is priced at R678 200. The 3,2-litre engine is still available in the Wildtrak, although only in 4x2 automatic guise (for R609 800).

So, what other updates have been made to the Ranger? Well, besides the styling tweaks (led by that fresh grille design), Ford earlier promised the new line-up would feature “a clearer distinction between models visually, with bumper treatments and colours reflecting the unique character of each model”.

In addition, Ford’s local arm said selected models would gain bolstered safety credentials, in the form of a pre-collision assist function (using inter-urban autonomous emergency braking with vehicle detection and pedestrian detection technology), along with keyless entry (with push-button start) and active park assist (essentially allowing semi-automatic parallel parking).

Furthermore, all models would gain an easy-lift tailgate as standard. Ford said that thanks to a new internal mechanism, the Ranger’s tailgate would be easier to lift, with a 70-percent reduction in initial force required to raise it for closing.

In addition, changes to the Ranger's suspension would “reduce and better control roll, with an emphasis on improving the driving experience when fully-laden and towing”. Ford said geometry changes to the suspension set-up would also bring an improved ride and improved steering precision, without impacting load and towing capacities.

Check out the full line-up's pricing below...

Pricing:

Single Cab:               
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi Base 5MT 4x2 LR: R287 100
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x2: R359 800
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6AT 4x2: R372 300
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x4: R411 400
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6MT 4x2: R390 900
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6AT 4x4: R449 200
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCI XLS 6MT 4x2: R401 800
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCI XLS 6AT 4x4: R460 100

Super Cab:                
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi Base 5MT 4x2: R336 500
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x2: R381 400
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6AT 4x2: R393 800
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x4: R429 300
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6AT 4x2: R426 400
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6AT 4x4: R472 400
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLS 6MT 4x2: R424 900
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLS 6MT 4x4: R480 900
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLT 6AT 4x4: R568 600

Double Cab:              
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi Base 5MT 4x2: R350 000
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x2: R409 400
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6MT 4x4: R455 300
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6AT 4x2: R428 800
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XL 6AT 4x4: R474 700
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6MT 4x2: R455 100
Ford Ranger 2,2 TDCi XLS 6AT 4x4: R508 400
Ford Ranger 2,0L Turbo XLT 10AT 4x2: R514 300
Ford Ranger 2,0L Turbo XLT 10AT 4x4: R570 200
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLT 6MT 4x2: R542 600
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLT 6AT 4x2: R571 400
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLT 6MT 4x4: R604 800
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi XLT 6AT 4x4: R617 300
Ford Ranger 3,2 TDCi 3,2 Wildtrak 6AT 4x2: R609 800
Ford Ranger 2,0L BiT Wildtrak 10AT 4x2: R632 300
Ford Ranger 2,0L BiT Wildtrak 10AT 4x4: R678 200

Original article from Car